Newbie First Pin purchase

[kev a]

Get some pics up!

Games form this era have generally been on location and received a lot of plays, the home collector buying new games didn't really become common until fairly recently.

That being said there's quite a few things you can do to smarten up a game, rubbers and cracked plastics are easy to replace, metalwork and ramps can be polished up and wear around flipper buttons can be covered with half moon shaped protectors.

Legs, side rails and lockdown bar can be powder coated too. Costs vary wildly for this, but should be possible for around £100 if you shop about.

 

[Dmstaylor]

Thanks, that's a relief you saying most from this era have been on location! I've been keeping an eye on the forum and keep seeing posts with home use only so was worried nobody would want one that's been on location when it came to trading (not that I can see us having enough of it any time soon). Like I say it works and we're all really enjoying it which is the important thing!

Is there anything I can do about the holes near the coin mech that must where some sorting of locking system has been?

Where's the best place to buy spares please? I searched online and all the sites seem to be American based

 

[cooldan]

looks nice that. don't worry about cosmetic stuff like the cabinet (in my opinion), the best thing you can do to improve a game is to refurbish or replace the flipper mechanisms (new bushing, coil sleeve, endstop, plunger/link/pawl) and the most important rubbers (post sleeves, flipper sleeves, slingshots). after that so long as it all works, don't worry about it.

new balls are always nice too - make sure if it's a game with magnets in, like yours, that you get the right type. adjust the outlanes to make it easy initially - you can always make it harder later. in settings, put it on moderate (normal) or even easy for difficulty while getting used to it. also helps a lot to stop kids getting bored quickly. make sure it's perfectly levelled. and if you spend a few minutes wiping soot off the inserts, you'll notice the difference right away.

 

[thejefu]

Thanks, that's a relief you saying most from this era have been on location! I've been keeping an eye on the forum and keep seeing posts with home use only so was worried nobody would want one that's been on location when it came to trading (not that I can see us having enough of it any time soon). Like I say it works and we're all really enjoying it which is the important thing!

Is there anything I can do about the holes near the coin mech that must where some sorting of locking system has been?

Where's the best place to buy spares please? I searched online and all the sites seem to be American based
View attachment 271674View attachment 271670View attachment 271671View attachment 271673

Looks A okay to me. Only downside is the lockbox bar drilled at the front, but that's more common than you'd think.

Broken plastics, knocked about cabinets and a little wear here or there in the shooter lane or in high traffic areas is par the course for most machines that haven't been made in the 10 years. They've almost all been through arcades. The only thing to really look out for buying players machines are rust (playfield damage from rusty balls or warping due to damp), holes drilled in the wrong place in the playfield (from amateur routed repairs), playfield wear where there shouldn't be any (dirty/rusty balls), missing or broken parts that are particularly hard to source or particularly hard to fix etc. Example is I got a JM recently which almost always has a knackered toy and that requires open heart surgery to fix it. I knew that needed doing regardless of it's condition going in but if it was your first machine you'd have a pretty intimidating job to do.

Everything else is easily fixable. Bit of woodfiller, some sandpaper and £200 vinyls and you've got a brand new cabinet. Can fill in those lockbox bar holes too.

 

[Dmstaylor]

looks nice that. don't worry about cosmetic stuff like the cabinet (in my opinion), the best thing you can do to improve a game is to refurbish or replace the flipper mechanisms (new bushing, coil sleeve, endstop, plunger/link/pawl) and the most important rubbers (post sleeves, flipper sleeves, slingshots). after that so long as it all works, don't worry about it.

new balls are always nice too - make sure if it's a game with magnets in, like yours, that you get the right type. make sure the game is perfectly level. adjust the outlanes to make it easy initially - you can always make it harder later. in settings, put it on moderate (normal) or even easy for difficulty while getting used to it. also helps a lot to stop kids getting bored quickly. make sure it's perfectly levelled. and if you spend a few minutes wiping soot off the inserts, you'll notice the difference right away.

Thanks, I hadn't even noticed the outlanes were adjustable, kids will be happy I can restrict that a bit! What do the menu difficulty settings actually change? I've left it as it was at the moment..

Yeah the cabinet doesn't bother me at all tbf and the kids are never going to notice it, like I say was just a bit concerned in a year or 2 I'll come to trade it and have problems but sounds like I should be ok.

Spiderman was a great recommendation though so thanks to anyone that suggested it. Everyone loves battling all the different bad guys and multiball is quite easy to trigger.

Is there anywhere you'd recommend buying the consumables like rubbers from?

 

[thejefu]

Thanks, I hadn't even noticed the outlanes were adjustable, kids will be happy I can restrict that a bit! What do the menu difficulty settings actually change? I've left it as it was at the moment..

Yeah the cabinet doesn't bother me at all tbf and the kids are never going to notice it, like I say was just a bit concerned in a year or 2 I'll come to trade it and have problems but sounds like I should be ok.

Spiderman was a great recommendation though so thanks to anyone that suggested it. Everyone loves battling all the different bad guys and multiball is quite easy to trigger.

Is there anywhere you'd recommend buying the consumables like rubbers from?

Titans if you can get them, less mess than conventional rubbers as they don't shed and generate a lot of bounce. Cheaper 'translucent' rubbers also create less rub off/mess, but where as Titan's have bounce, cheap translucent rubbers can not bounce at all, so mileage may vary. Someone else may be able to weigh in on good premium rubbers that don't shed because I haven't found any.

https://www.free-play.se/ do Titans for 12 euro delivery. Conventional rubbers you can get anywhere.

 

[kev a]

Yeah don't look too bad to me, they normally wear around the magnet and yours looks fine.

For a cheap fix for the cabinet holes, motor factors sell blanking hole things you can just poke in there to cover them for now,
Retro Arcade Specialists do Titan rubbers and Pinball mania do a similar type called perfect play.

For flat clear plastics give collywobbles on here a shout, he makes them in a bunch of different colours, and I'm sure he has a Spiderman.

Ramp flaps are cheap, but need a special riveting attachment, for a quick win sand off any corrosion lacquer them or coat them with gun blue, its fiddly to use and you wont get a 'new finish' but possible to make them better.
The blue pads are also replaceable cheaply, they are riveted though, you can replace them with standard pop rivets and a little bit of tubing, not factory but looks fine IMO.

Also art blades for the inside of the cab really lifts a game, various places do different designs, but go with what you like best.

 

[Fubar]

Titan UK stockist: https://retroarcadespecialists.co.uk/all-products/ols/categories/titan-pinball

 

[kev a]

Push fit covers for the locking bar holes

Plastic Car Trim Panel Fir Tree Spruce Button Clips Universal Black Dark Grey UK | eBay

Colour : Black; Grey; Dark Grey. Choose from the drop down list your Size (Hole x Head) 11mm x 28mm. 11mm x 24mm. 11mm x 22mm. 11mm x 14.5mm. 10mm x 36mm.

www.ebay.co.uk

Gun Blue for ramp flaps

Pardon our interruption...

Sandman Plactic

Spiderman Sandman plastic 830-6059-09 - Pinball Heaven

Replacement Sandman plastic (830-6059-09) for Stern Spiderman pinball machine for sale.

www.pinball.co.uk

Perfect play rubbers

PerfectPlay Selection

Next generation rings made from PerfectPlays uniquely formulated silicone. They provide a classic rubber *feel* and are UV light resistant resistant and will not yield to drying or fading

pinparts.co.uk

Blue rubber (Nubs) I'm sure there available in the UK but my search skills are failing me

Miscellaneous

Pinball Rubber, Rubber Rings, Mini Post, Shooter Tips, Post Sleeves, Grommet, Rubber Mat, Bumper Pad, Pop Up Bumper, Rebound Rubber, Belt, Silicone Rubber, Flipper Rubber

www.pinball.center

and this led tube (makes translate colours pop)

Led replacement tube for white-star and stern sam games

Led replacement tube for white-star games and stern sam games May fit other game types Simple to fit, direct replacement

retroarcadespecialists.co.uk

 

[Dmstaylor]

Brilliant thanks again everyone! I can go back to just enjoying it now, just been in the back of my mind that it might not be in the very good condition and I wouldn't have known any better. Cheers for all the advice on maintenance as well, I'll pick up some of the titan stuff as advised!

 

[Dmstaylor]

Push fit covers for the locking bar holes

Plastic Car Trim Panel Fir Tree Spruce Button Clips Universal Black Dark Grey UK | eBay

Colour : Black; Grey; Dark Grey. Choose from the drop down list your Size (Hole x Head) 11mm x 28mm. 11mm x 24mm. 11mm x 22mm. 11mm x 14.5mm. 10mm x 36mm.

www.ebay.co.uk

Gun Blue for ramp flaps

Pardon our interruption...

Sandman Plactic

Spiderman Sandman plastic 830-6059-09 - Pinball Heaven

Replacement Sandman plastic (830-6059-09) for Stern Spiderman pinball machine for sale.

www.pinball.co.uk

Perfect play rubbers

PerfectPlay Selection

Next generation rings made from PerfectPlays uniquely formulated silicone. They provide a classic rubber *feel* and are UV light resistant resistant and will not yield to drying or fading

pinparts.co.uk

Blue rubber (Nubs) I'm sure there available in the UK but my search skills are failing me

Miscellaneous

Pinball Rubber, Rubber Rings, Mini Post, Shooter Tips, Post Sleeves, Grommet, Rubber Mat, Bumper Pad, Pop Up Bumper, Rebound Rubber, Belt, Silicone Rubber, Flipper Rubber

www.pinball.center

and this led tube (makes translate colours pop)

Led replacement tube for white-star and stern sam games

Led replacement tube for white-star games and stern sam games May fit other game types Simple to fit, direct replacement

retroarcadespecialists.co.uk

Thanks

 

[Jason Catrine]

Ask collywobbles to make you up some plastics for Spiderman. They are not expensive but make a nice improvement. Heres mine so you can see for yourself the difference tiny bits of coloured plastic makes with added little web effect below slingshots to finish it off. Mirror blades also help brighten everything up.





Mirror blades effect….

 

[kev a]

Yeah get those..... Its fun spending your money hit up silverpaolo......

For Sale Thread 'Set of mirror blades for stern pinball uk postage available'

Mar 12, 2023

Set of left and right stern mirror blades brand new

Multiple sets available £75 per set

Postage now available , postage is £10 for first set and £15 for up to three sets

• Silverpaolo
• Replies: 100
• Forum: Parts for Sale / Wanted / Trade

• 

 

[Dmstaylor]

Ask collywobbles to make you up some plastics for Spiderman. They are not expensive but make a nice improvement. Heres mine so you can see for yourself the difference tiny bits of coloured plastic makes with added little web effect below slingshots to finish it off. Mirror blades also help brighten everything up.

View attachment 271679
View attachment 271680


Mirror blades effect….

View attachment 271681

That looks brilliant, have you added extra/different lights as well? Where did you get the mirror blades from?

Also sorry I don't know what they're called but one have you done with these little cutouts here? Mine look quite worn, yours are white and look really good?

 

[Dmstaylor]

Yeah get those..... Its fun spending your money hit up silverpaolo......

For Sale Thread 'Set of mirror blades for stern pinball uk postage available'

Mar 12, 2023

Set of left and right stern mirror blades brand new

Multiple sets available £75 per set

Postage now available , postage is £10 for first set and £15 for up to three sets

• Silverpaolo
• Replies: 100
• Forum: Parts for Sale / Wanted / Trade

• 

Thanks you've just answered my question while I was replying! I'll definitely pick up a set of those

 

[Jason Catrine]

The link above from kev will get you a set of mirror blades. Those worn bits can be covered easily with metal clips from a guy called cliffy (and we all just call them cliffys), but yours are not actually that bad. For example...



Hes in the USA but for just a few protectors like that postage isn't too expensive, but again, yours ain't that bad. https://www.passionforpinball.com/Spiderman.htm

And mine has full LEDs which make everything brighter. You can get a full set from either retro arcade specialists or pinball heaven.

 

[Jason Catrine]

Also if you really want to go nuts with it, a colour pin2dmd will cost you around £180 delivered (depending on exchange rate)

 

[Marvello]

As mentioned, side art or mirror blades instantly improve the look of a Pin for not much money.

will definitely be a cheaper one (around £1.2k) this time though, just something for a bit variety!

I'm not sure what you could get for that amount of money.

 

[Dmstaylor]

As mentioned, side art or mirror blades instantly improve the look of a Pin for not much money.

I'm not sure what you could get for that amount of money.

I've been playing operation thunder on my PC emulator and really like it.. it doesn't seem very popular at all and I think one sold for £1k not so long ago so just keeping an eye out for one of those at the moment!

 

[Jason Catrine]

Fully working for 1.2k is gonna be a struggle but its quite therapeutic to fix them so if you can find something at that price point and are willing to learn, theres definitely people here who can help you troubleshoot. Gottlieb or pre-90s DMD stuff dont command much money though so be careful you dont sink more money on parts than what the game is worth.

 

[DRD]

I'm in Nottinghamshire, so I'm a fellow Ghetto dweller. You are welcome to visit my place. I have 9 games at the moment.

Sadly you tend to get what you pay for. Pinball is quite an efficient market and value tends to be driven by how much fun a game is and how pretty it is and how nice it sounds.

I overpaid for my first game around 1998, its a rite of passage. Until you are "in it" you won't really understand what's what.

 

[cooldan]

The difficulty in settings refers to reaching goals - for example it might normally take 3 hits on something to achieve a goal, but on hard mode it needs 4, on easy just 2 hits. Some games have ‘extra easy’ as an option which generally means that flailing for a couple of minutes will get you deep into the game rules …. but you will feel dirty so don’t do it.

Also try to stay away from the option to ‘reset’ after just one ball, as then you will never get any better. It took me years to learn that one.

 

[SteadyP]

A deleted member once gave me some great advice- put it on 5 balls in the settings menu to begin with and see how far you can get through the game if you’re a newbie. It definitely helped and gradually improved my skills- then reduce to standard 3 ball game.

Your SM is in decent nick for its age- I’ve bought one before Xmas which is bit more rough than yours and I’m not concerned about it. It’s gradually getting spruced up- it’s a good quality game for the money and should be easy enough to recoup what you paid for it assuming you bought for circa £3 to £3.5k. You should go to Pinfest later this year and play more games- see what floats your boat if you’re after another one.

 

[Dmstaylor]

A deleted member once gave me some great advice- put it on 5 balls in the settings menu to begin with and see how far you can get through the game if you’re a newbie. It definitely helped and gradually improved my skills- then reduce to standard 3 ball game.

Your SM is in decent nick for its age- I’ve bought one before Xmas which is bit more rough than yours and I’m not concerned about it. It’s gradually getting spruced up- it’s a good quality game for the money and should be easy enough to recoup what you paid for it assuming you bought for circa £3 to £3.5k. You should go to Pinfest later this year and play more games- see what floats your boat if you’re after another one.

Thanks, yes paid top end of that range (£3.5k) so I'm happy with that feedback and it's a great game. Someone already mentioned Pinfest when I first posted and we'll definitely be going if we aren't on holiday those dates!